Outer Space 外太空
The overarching theme of this semester: space! We started by finding out random interesting facts about our solar system, galaxy, and the cosmos. Following that, we did some preliminary readings regarding government and management, automation and AI, and space exploration and nutrition. We watched two media works to get familiar with some of the social and ethical issues that are being discussed in relation to technology and space travel. Finally, we threw water balloons off the roof to simulate a planetary landing.
本學期的大主題：外太空！ 首先，我們搜尋了關於太陽系、銀河系和宇宙的有趣知識。 接著我們閱讀了關於政府與國家治理、自動化和人工智能、太空探索以及營養學的相關文獻。我們也觀看了兩部電影，為了讓學生對於太空旅行、科技相關的社會與道德議題更為熟悉。 最後，我們製作了能乘載水球的登陸器，並將其從高樓層扔下，以模擬登陸器降落在行星或月球時的情形。
Did You Know? 你知道嗎？
In order to familiarize ourselves with the topic of space exploration, we compiled interesting facts about our solar system, our galaxy, and space travel.
為熟悉太空探索這個議題，我們整理出了一些關於太陽系、銀河係以及太空旅行的有趣知識。
A Talk with an Astronomy Expert 來聽聽天文專家怎麼說
Mr. Hong, formerly of the Taipei Astronomy Museum, came to speak with the class about planets, stars, galaxies, and the makeup of other heavenly bodies.
前台北天文館的洪老師與我們班分享了行星、恆星、星係以及其他天體的組成。
Literature Review of Preliminary Readings 初步文獻探討
The student teams researched and presented information regarding different aspects of space exploration and connected topics. These topics covered things such as automation, industry changes, leadership, ethics in AI, physical challenges of space travel, gender relations, soft skills, government systems, and much more. Shown here is an assortment of preliminary reaction essays the students wrote in response to receiving this avalanche of new input about the semester topic.
每個學生小組皆在本學期中，研究和展示了太空探索這主題裡不同但卻相互關聯的面向，包括自動化、行業變革、領導力、人工智能倫理、太空旅行的挑戰、性別關係、軟技能及政府系統等。在此呈現的作文內容為學生在學期初，剛接收到這大量新資訊時的反應。
Visiting the Astronomy Museum 參觀天文博物館
As part of the learning process, we visited the Taipei Astronomy Museum, where we learned about spacecraft, planets, physics, and tools for observing space.
作為學習歷程的一部分，我們參觀了台北天文館，並學習到有關太空飛船、行星、物理和太空觀測儀器的相關知識。
Essay about The Martian 【火星救援】主題寫作
As part of our early steps in exploring the topic of surviving on an alien world, the class watched and discussed Ridley Scott’s The Martian. Special attention was paid to the dangers and challenges of possible habitation on an alien planet, moral decisions regarding the value of life, sustainable agriculture, and other related topics. Shown here are some essays the students wrote in response to some thinking prompts which stemmed from this.
作為我們探索在外星世界生存這一主題的初期步驟的，全班一同觀賞並討論了 Ridley Scott的《火星救援》這部電影。 我們關注的重點包括居住在外星球上可能遇到的危險和挑戰、生命價值與道德決定、以及永續農業等。 在此呈現的作文內容為學生的電影後的觀後感，以及他們對於一些需深度思考問題的答覆。
Essay about Topics in Elysium 【極樂世界】主題寫作
Accelerated activities in space exploration go hand-in-hand with the current world trend towards automation. The class watched and discussed Neil Blomkamp’s Elysium, in which we explored some possible effects of automation on industry, society, and workers’ rights. We further contemplated how technology may be the cause for rifts and inequalities in society. Lastly, we also discussed forms of government, political legitimacy, and sources of government power. Shown here are some student essays regarding rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and whether citizenship should be earned or automatically given.
隨著世界逐漸自動化，這也代表著太空探索活動的進展也將逐漸加速。 全班觀賞並討論了 Neil Blomkamp 的《極樂世界》這部電影。我們探討了自動化對工業、社會和勞工權利可能帶來的一些影響。 之後，我們也更進一步地思考，科技是否可能成為造成社會裂痕和不平等的元兇。 另外，我們也談論了政府型態、政治合法性及政府權力的來源。 在此呈現的作文內容是關於公民權利和責任，以及公民身份是否該被賦予還是需靠條件取得。
Rocket Propulsion 火箭推進原理
The class learned about different kinds of rocket propulsion and tried their hands at constructing and testing simple rockets.
我們學習了不同類型的火箭推進器，並嘗試自製和測試簡單的火箭。
Lunar Landers 月球登陸器
If we are to colonize alien planets, we will need to land on them first. This is easier said than done when taking into account the differing atmospheric makeup and density of particular cosmic locations. The students had a fun learning activity regarding lunar landers which practiced the design process by studying past lunar landers, hypothesizing about materials and physics, and building their own. As always, this process was a multi-step one which included studying the materials available, ideation, prototyping, and hands-on testing.
如果我們要殖民外星球，我們需要先登陸它們。 考慮到不同的大氣組成和特定宇宙位置的密度，這說起來容易做起來難。學生們進行了一次關於月球著陸器的有趣學習活動，他們通過研究過去的月球著陸器、關於材料和物理的假設並構建自己的月球著陸器來實踐設計過程。與往常一樣，這個過程是一個多步驟的過程，包括研究可用的材料、構思、原型設計和動手測試。